{{{Out here in the Bay Area,we have a magazine called The Wave.The current issue (Volume 3,Issue 17) is devoted to the 80s and there is a telephone interview with Morris Day.He reveals that The Time are getting ready to sign with Hollywood Records and a new CD will be released in early 2004.Here is the entire interview...

PAY DAY : Morris Day,everyone's favorite 80s faux-millionaire,checks himself out in the mirror one more time...by David Farley

Morris Day wouldn't make a very subject for VH-1's Behind The Music.Though his band,The Time,are on-again,off-again,and his short-lived solo career stumbled as soon as it left the gate,Day didn't snort a gazillion dollars up his nose,nor was he almost killed in a car accident after a night of partying.Instead,he has quietly been retired to stud in the American pop-culture stable.Constantly on tour,Day hasn't put out an album in over a decade.The million-dollar swagger,the flashy suits,the blue-blood attitude are all still there.So is his very own stage-side butler,Jerome "bring-me-the-mirror" Benton.When we caught up with Day in Atlanta,where he now lives,he was just about to hop on a plane to his former haunt,Minneapolis,to play an afternoon set for the meat-loving crowd at this year's Rib Fest. Who says slowly fading away isn't cool?

Wave: What time is it?
Morris: It's time to be cool}}}

Wave: Are you checking yourself out in a mirror right now?
Morris: (laughs) Actually that's what I was doing when I put you on hold a few seconds ago

Wave: Is Jerome standing there holding it up for you?
Morris: Actually,right now,I don't look exactly as you'd picture.I just got in from a nice morning jog and I'm just chillin'

Wave: What's it like going back to Minneapolis?
Morris: It's always really cool.People come out in nice numbers to see us.It's a special occasion to play there.We're homegrown talent,so people there really enjoy us,not to mention the fact that we rip it up on stage.

Wave: In addition to constantly touring,what else is going on with The Time?
Morris: We're just about to ink a deal with Hollywood Records,so look for a new album in the first part of 2004.It's gonna be off the chain.We've been beating the pavement,but we've always wanted to do another album--we just weren't sure if we were going to go the independent route or hook up with a major label

Wave: Is there anything you regret about the 80s?
Morris: Not really.The music scene was totally different.I was living what I had learned up to that point.So I understood what was going on with the music.But right now,I'm on the outside looking in when it comes to what the kids are doing on the radio these days.While we'll probably come into contact with some of the younger artists out there,we're putting stuff down that they don't know how to do anymore: real drums,real bass,and so on

Wave: What was the worst thing about the 80s?
Morris: It's hard for me to say there was anything bad about that decade.My band was on fire and I was loving the club and music scene

Wave: Some historians credit American pop culture in the 80s for playing a crucial part in the erosion of the Soviet Union.How much did Morris Day and The Time help in bringing down the Iron Curtain?
Morris: (laughs) I've never really looked at it on that level.I tend not to be so in depth on world issues.But if our music did help,I'm glad

Wave: Of the very,very few good things critics said about Prince's last movie 'Graffiti Bridge',the most common was that you and Jerome stole the movie.Why haven't you acted more?
Morris: There was a time when I thought that might be attractive,and I was hanging out in Hollywood and doing that whole thing.I quickly found out that sort of thing doesn't work well with my aura.Some people liked what I did in 'Purple Rain' and 'Graffiti Bridge' and those are the people who call with acting offers,but to actively be on the block in Hollywood and go to readings is not my thing.I'm a musician and I can earn my keep very well.That's not to say that if soemone comes along and offers me $20 million to do a movie...

Wave: Do you still talk to Prince?
Morris: Not as much as I used to.We pretty much grew up together from the time we were 13.We were always hanging out.But times have changed,and I'm here in Atlanta and he's in Minneapolis.We talk every once in a while

Wave: Didn't you ever want to punch him in the face? Wait!---didn't you guys get into a fistfight on the set of 'Purple Rain'?
Morris: No.That was misreported

Wave: Do you think you could take him?
Morris: Yeah! (laughs)

Wave: But really,did you ever want to bitch-slap him?
Morris: He likes to be in control sometimes--to the point where it got to be...well,there were times when...I'll just leave it at that.You've got to take the good with the bad,you know

Wave: What was the meanest thing Prince ever did to you?
Morris: One time when we were touring with him,he and his band threw eggs at us while we were onstage.Then when he went on,we threw eggs back.But I thought that was kind of low.I know it was meant in fun,but when you're trying to do your show in front of a bunch of people,throwing eggs is not cool

Wave: Did you have any animosity because The Time was Prince's band? He even had the power to fire people,like when Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were late for a gigbecause their plane was delayed and Prince sacked them
Morris: Yeah,that was fucked up.For me,it was like being the president but having to answer to the CEO.I had a fair amount of control and power within the organization,but the bottom line was always his.There were moments,like when he fired Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,that were tough.One thing I always hated about my favorite bands was when they changed members alot,so the reality of that happening to my band was hard to take.That's when I started thinking about a solo career

Wave: What kind of car do you drive? Let me guess: a Bentley? A Rolls Royce?
Morris: (pause) Um...yeah,I've got all that.I don't discriminate with my cars

Wave: What's the key to being sexy?
Morris: I ain't no Prince,you know what I'm sayin? I think he might not say it,but he has some really cut and dry ways of considering that question.But I just think that being cool makes me a sexy man

Wave: What can you not live without?
Morris: Money

Wave: If you were to take out a personal ad in a paper,what would yours say?
Morris: (long pause) Cute,pretty fine,handsome whatever with money looking for like-minded and like-assetted female

Wave: Was this the best interview ever,or what?
Morris: (loud laugh) It was absolutely the best interview ever,my man!

Rib-fests and cursing, no wonder why Prince doesn't talk to him much anymore, LOLOL.

[quote]Day didn't snort a gazillion dollars up his nose [quote]

LOL, where has this guy been?

I'd love a 2004 Time CD, but this has been said on and off for the last few years, so lets hope it's 4 real this time

A new The Time album after 14 years ? Believe it when I hold it in my greedy hands.

Wonder if there will be any Prince input ...

If this album happens I hope that Jam and Lewis will produce the bulk of it! I like what J&L did on the Isley Brothers album (Eternal) and I think they could introduce The Time to a whole new generation...a new POWER generation. I saw Morris and actor Robert Townsend hanging out in a strip club here last year. My wife (yeah, she was with me) said that Morris "still looks good". She's right...

Not enough to kill himself or make his life a living hell anyway.

/
[This message was edited Wed Aug 13 7:25:13 PDT 2003 by FIFI]

I thought Morris asked Prince what he should do about Jimmy and Terry being late to there gig.Didn't the story go that Jimmy and Terry were recording tracks for the S.O.S. band and were late cuz of being snowed in. That's when Morris asked Prince what he should do and in return Prince told him that if it was him he would fire them. Then that was what Morris did, fire them!
klick2me

Good interview - it asked all the good questions. And sure, there's spin on some of the answers, but shit, you gonna believe that PRINCE was telling the truth? I'm sure there's 5 more versions to that Jimmy Jam story. Who cares.

Good interview. I live in Atlanta, I'm gonna go track the man down!

this was a "cool" interview 7 i'm glad 2 see some Funk is in The WOrks. ain't nothin' like some Funky Azz Time Music. & it would b Coll AZ HeLL is Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were 2 lend a PLATINUM hand & the Funk but we'LL have 2 wait & see.

Morris

Jerome

Jelly Bean

Jimmy Jam

Terry Lewis

Monte Moir

THAT's The Time...

even tho Freeze & Tori make a Good Combo but the Original LineUp is Ta Funk!

I've been wanting to share this with ya'lls so I now will...

When I was hanging at the Kodak ONA aftershow, I met Jerome, he was really friendly and funny, anyway, I asked him about a new album, he did mention, off the cuff, that it was done and that maybe Prince should put it up on the club! The NPG Music Club!

Now that would be great, kind of like old times.

I was like "yeaaah!" and I told him to encourage that to Prince, I hope he did. I really, truly think it would be great!

Imagine the publicity that will surround the Family Jamm in December and one of his protege's releases a NEW album and Prince distributing it in HIS club!!!

"The New Album by The Time - Exclusively on NPG Records available this Fall at NPG Music Club"!

Cool, that would be so cool!
I always remember what a great team they made and also Prince and Jerome Benton in UTCM went well!

It's Time to take out the C.R.A.P.

They've been talking about a new album since 1999. I gave up hope of it surfacing a looong time ago. If it does come out it better be sweet. Lord knows they had pleanty of time to make it good.

creepycornerman said:

You mean "since 1989," right? Anyway, I think Jesse Johnson's Bare My Naked Soul album was really, really good, so if he's involved, a Time album might be good even if Prince is not. Last I heard, Jesse had turned muslim or something, and with Prince being a Jehova's Witness, religious issues will probably keep those two from working together, so if one is in, the other is bound to be out. Anyway, I doubt there'll be any involvement from Prince unless all the Time members convert to Jehova, which - like the Revolution - I'm sure they'll all have sense enough not to do. Imagine Morris singing clean lyrics - then it really wouldn't be The Time, would it?
In all likelihood, if a Time album does eventually appear, it will probably be with the Time line-up that has been touring since the mid-nineties. Possibly Jam & Lewis would join in, but I thought their contributions to Pandemonium were bland (no, not Michael Bland!). If Jesse's involved or if Prince is involved = cool. But if neither of them are, I doubt I'll even buy the album.

Tom said:

Read DMSR, thats why MORRIS doesn't talk to Prince much.

PurpleLove7 said:

Just want 2 say that it won't b a Time Album without contributions from Jesse Johnson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and of course Jamie Starr (hint, hint!) otherwise it would be a Morris Day album with a live backing band. example: Axl Rose and Guns n' Roses ( BIG MISTAKE!!!) Don't fake the FUNK! The Time has 2 have the MINNEAPOLIS FUNK or it's times up.

They should change the name of the band to "Part-Time".

u
need
Jesse!!

Don't y'all understand that Prince was The Time?! One of the things that must be somewhat regretable about the whole Pandemonium/Corporate World project was the decision by the "money makers" to push for a reunion of the original Time and the inevitable retooling of Corporate World as a result.

I don't hate on The Time, but let's be honest, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis have all the necessary clot to make a new The Time album happen, with the original lineup, but THEY WEREN'T THE TIME. I am sure that from a standpoint of getting a toe in the door that they appreciate Prince, but that was his project! All us Prince lovers would like to see a rebirth of that group I'm sure, but someone needs to talk to Jamie Starr to make it happen!

That will rule if its true

The Time are the shit - funky as hell, I think.

And I like the tongue in cheek of their act.

I would buy their album anytime, no matter who produces or writes the stuff - and Morris Day's voice is sure enough really groovy cool.

Party on

I saw the TIME at a ribs fest recently and they tore it up.

Just as funky and just as tight as Prince during the ONA tour...just a lot less expensive (FREE) and a lot less pretentious.

Read the whole thing at www.thewavemag.com -- and be sure to check out "The Ten Eightiest Movies" by Seanbaby, the funniest writer working today...

kmc said:

---
You can say it a thousand times and some people still will not get it. Prince is the Time.

Well, it's about Time (no pun intended).

Sorry purplove7 the time doesn't work for me at all without the presents of Jesse. Those new guys on tour playing guitar are not as good and polished as Jesse. Jesse has the sound those guys are trying to fake. I then have to have Jerome,Jimmy and Terry, then Jellybean, of course thats the Time. Monte is cool, but will not be missed.

peace,

PurpleLove7 said:

Cool, i really look forward 2 holding it in my hand

YOUNT!

I'll believe a new album when I see it. We've been teased with this for many years over and over. Those guys must have learned from Prince about broken promises regarding new album releases.

Prince was obviously by far the most important element of the Time's albums in the past, but they could still do some good stuff on their own. Obviously Jam and Lewis could write some great songs if they were involved.

I'll miss Jesse Johnson too, but the guitarist I saw in the Time's band for a couple of tours was great as well. I don't think they'll miss a beat with him in there.